Machine shop problems with stamp pad

[Justin A.]

Ok so here is the issue. Dropped my 63 original engine off to be rebuilt. Explecit instructions on not to deck the block. Well when the employee at the shop measured the block and decided the deck was not within spec they machine it without calling first. So now the numbers are pretty much gone. You can barely see some of the serial number but for the most part they are not legable. The suffix and build are completly gone. Luckily it was a 250Hp so the only way to go was up, but still the numbers are gone. Called them this morning and they are wanting to send over a forensic scientist who works with the local sheriffs dept and he will raise the numbers and ceritify that it is the original engine I am guessing with an afadavit or something along those lines. My question is, would this be exceptable to judging and what potential damage is too the car now?
Thanks
Justin

[Tom H.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

I don't think the document will help on the judging field. Too bad this happened. Seen it all too often.

[Justin A.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

Not good. The machine shop wants to make good of it, but how do you come up with a figure of what damage was done? This is a 250 hp motor, you can still barely and I mean barely make out the VIN on the stamp pad. So you think if they chemically raise it and I take a picture that would work. If you look at the stamp pad you can make out a couple of digits on the VIN.

[Tom H.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

Hopefully, and I have a feeling I know the answer................ Did you photograph the pad prior to the machine shop visit ??? There is nobody who can put a solid dollar amount on the error. It will just have to be negotiated between you and the shop.

[Joe R.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

Iffin you can see the numbers AND they can be raised with acid used carefully, and you have a statement by the machine shop, I would see no problem in you receiving the full points for originality. Some or a few might be accessed on the fact that there are no broach marks in the block but that should be minor.
As a matter of fact, you can still get top flight with a significant deduction on the block.
Certainly this would be a question for Roy Sinor! I hope he gives his opinion on this matter.
The NCRS is NOT in the habit of slam dunking anybody that is honest during judging. At least they better not be if they want to continue as Team Leaders.

JR

[Justin A.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

You know that would have been the smart thing today, but since I thought the instructions of don't deck the block were enough, I only wrote them down.

[Justin A.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

Thanks Joe.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

i have posted before if the shop uses a deck mounted boring bar they have to deck the block to get the bore perpendicular to the crank center line

[Justin A.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

I understand that, but if that is the type of boring machine he had then he should have said that when I said I did not want the engine decked.

[Michael W.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

Justin,

I think it would be fair to say that you could expect a deduct for the stamp pad during judging. The car is evaluated as it appears that day and time, not on what it used to be.

No matter what excuses the machine shop offer, they are dead wrong for disobeying your written instructions. I believe the shop needs to do a little more for you than offered so far.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

i have posted before if the shop uses a deck mounted boring bar they have to deck the block to get the bore perpendicular to the crank center line

CLEM
I had a Pattern/ machine shop. Can you tell us why they need to deck the block? What kind of fixture do the use & how do they get the block in a fixture to deck it first? I can't beleave a deck surface could be that bad.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

CLEM
I had a Pattern/ machine shop. Can you tell us why they need to deck the block? What kind of fixture do the use & how do they get the block in a fixture to deck it first? I can't beleave a deck surface could be that bad.

a deck mounted boring bar just clamps to deck of the block and most times the deck is not parallel to the crank center line so the bore will be perpendicular to the deck not the crank center line. there are boring fixtures that locate boring bar off of the main bearing bores not the block deck. i have seen them .012/.014 out of parallel to the crank center line. when they deck a block it is machined parallel to the main bearing bores before boring the cylinders

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

THANKS But is that not in tolearence. I can't even beleave that they are that close with the way they broached the block.I have had many origional blocks remachined with no problem. Could they not have run a indicator & shimed to square the block. I still think the machine shop didn'know what thay were doing.I think ALL the machine shops now know about original blocks.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

THANKS But is that not in tolearence. I can't even beleave that they are that close with the way they broached the block.I have had many origional blocks remachined with no problem. Could they not have run a indicator & shimed to square the block. I still think the machine shop didn'know what thay were doing.I think ALL the machine shops now know about original blocks.

the factory bores are done on a gang boring machine that bores all the cylinders at one time and the block is located off of the main bearing bore. most shops never heard of the NCRS. these are production shops that make $$$ by turning out the job in a short period of time. the NCRS should check with their members who have had the job done correctly and publish a list of those shops so members can go there.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Machine shop problems with stamp pad

.
i have been into corvettes since 1959 and worked with machine shops doing my engine work since 1965 and i never heard of the NCRS till 2006. i wish i had found out sooner as i threw out a lot to dated parts like smog pumps and carbs.